Literature has a unique capacity to touch the hearts and minds and engage readers in a way that is distinctly different from political or academic texts. Can it play a role in exposing human rights violations? Should literature be ‘engaged’, and should authors take political or social stands?

Gabriella Ambrosio’s novel Prima di lasciarsi (Before We Say Goodbye) was inspired by the true story of a suicide bombing committed by a seventeen year-old Palestinian girl. It has been widely used by schools, colleges and human rights organisations as an educational tool.

Vered Cohen–Barzilay is the founder of Novel Rights, a social enterprise which recognises the power of art, especially literature, to drive change and motivate people to take action. Novel Rights are dedicated to encouraging the literary community to share in human rights literature, expand their understanding and knowledge on human rights topics and violations, inviting them to take action.

Marina Nemat is author of a memoir about growing up in Iran, serving time in Evin Prison for speaking out against the Iranian government, escaping a death sentence and finally fleeing for a new life in Canada. Marina Nemat was awarded the first Human Dignity Prize in December 2007 by the European Parliament and the Cultural Association Europa.

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View a short video clip from Amnesty International UK screening event created by: Vasileios Katsardis

From the creators of Budrus, My Neighbourhood chronicles the story of Palestinian teenager Mohammed El Kurd as half of his home in East Jerusalem is taken over by Israeli settlers. When Israeli activists arrive to join local residents in protests against the eviction, Mohammed comes of age in the face of unrelenting tension with his neighbours and unexpected cooperation with Israeli allies in his backyard.Through Mohammed’s personal story, My Neighbourhood goes beyond the sensational headlines that normally dominate discussions of Jerusalem and captures voices rarely heard, of those striving for a just and equitable future in the city.

My Neighbourhood recently had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and will be premiering in Europe at the upcoming Sheffield Doc/Fest in June. It is the latest production by Just Vision, a team of Palestinian, Israeli, North and South American filmmakers, journalists and human rights advocates dedicated to telling the stories of Israelis and Palestinians pursuing freedom, dignity, security and peace using nonviolent means.

The Weidenfeld Scholarship Programme and Novel Rights are pleased to invite you to the Weidenfeld debate on

The Power of Literature and Human Rights

Tuesday, March 6th

6.00-7.30PM, Reception to follow

Queen Elizabeth House

3 Mansfield Road, Oxford

Literature, specifically fiction, has a unique capacity to touch the hearts and minds of people and engage them in a way that is distinctly different from political or academic texts. It has the potential to lead to personal or social change. Thus, literature may offer an important tool to educate people about and promote human rights.

Join our panelists, the distinguished authors

Lisa Appignanesi, Roma Tearne & Marina Nemat

as they discuss the role of literature in the face of human rights violations. Facilitated by Susan Hitch, the discussion will explore the role of the authors in human rights work. Should literature be politically and socially engaged? Should authors take political or social stands? What consequences does it carry for their art? Can NGOs benefit by using literature in their human rights work? Should publishers have a moral obligation regarding the work they choose to publish?

This event is open and free to the Oxford community and the general public. We especially welcome authors, scholars of literature, publishers and activists. We hope to foster a discussion that will cross boundaries, stimulate research and facilitate collaboration and action.